LAS VEGAS CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION LVNBA. National Bar Association, Las Vegas Chapter

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1 LAS VEGAS CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION LVNBA Nurturing a pipeline of African-American lawyers, providing legal education and services to the most needy and underserved communities, and fostering leaders and leadership for over thirty years. Front Matter About this Issue Leadership 2012 Committee Chairs Editorial Staff Page 2! LVNBA Special 30th Anniversary Newsletter Volume No. 3, Issue No Historical Perspective Do You Know Your History? by Justice Michael L. Douglas Unsung Heroes by Art Williams, Jr. LVNBA Key Dates Pages 3-4 LVNBA Members Page 15 Items by Members About the LVNBA Booker T. Evans John R. Bailey Alzora Jackson Judge Nancy Allf Assemblyman Jason Frierson Pages 5-6 On New Directions Dean John V. White Berna Rhodes-Ford Judge Gloria Sturman Page 14 Items by Members In Public Service Assemblyman William Horne Assemblywoman Dina Neal Serving Communities Karl W. Armstrong Sandra Douglass Morgan Alda A. Anderson Marsha Kimble-Simms Growing Professionally Kelley Jones Tierra Jones Page Year in Review Founders Celebration Oral History Project 22nd Scholarship Gala Nevada Lawyer Project Film Festival Backpack Drive Bowling Social Ringing in the New Year LVNBA Archive Page WRBLSA Member of the Year: Elisabeth Flemming Page 9 In the Pipeline: BLSA BLSA Leadership WRBLSA Competitions Scholarship Recipients Nechole Garcia Brittnie Watkins Colin Seale Page Back Page About the Newsletter Acknowledgements Diversity Committee 2012 NBA Convention Page 16 President s Message The LVNBA has many exciting opportunities in the upcoming years, including, but not limited to, hosting the 2012 National Bar Convention this July. As the president, I hope to continue to build on the efforts and achievements of our past presidents. However, the success of the LVNBA depends on the commitment and participation of its current and new members. Together, let's pledge to make 2012 and 2013 the best years yet. -- Doreen Spears Hartwell, President Ms. Spears Hartwell is a shareholder at Lionel Sawyer & Collins, received her J.D. from Pacific McGeorge School of Law, and is a Trustee of the LVNBA Foundation. Doreen Spears Hartwell, LVNBA President Source: Lionel Sawyer & Collins National Bar Association, Las Vegas Chapter Originally incorporated in 1981 and reincorporated in 2005, the LVNBA has a predominantly African- American membership, is Nevada s first and only National Bar Association affiliate, and is a civil rights bar organization at its core. For the past 30 years, the LVNBA has been nurturing a pipeline of African-American lawyers, providing legal education and services to the most needy and underserved communities, and fostering leaders and leadership. LVNBA members lead and serve at local, regional, and national levels. The LVNBA Foundation The Foundation is a public charity created to encourage diversity in the legal field by providing scholarships to law students who demonstrate a commitment to assisting the most needy and underserved members of society. LVNBA Foundation President Patricia Lee is a partner at Hutchison & Steffen, received her J.D. from George Washington University Law School, and was LVNBA Treasurer, Patricia Lee, President of the LVNBA Foundation Source: Hutchison & Steffen The National Bar Association The National Bar Association (NBA) is the nation s oldest minority bar and largest national association of predominately African-American lawyers and judges. It has 84 affiliate chapters in the United States and affiliations in Canada, the United Kingdom, Africa and the Caribbean. There are over 44,000 NBA members: lawyers, judges, educators and law students. The NBA and its affiliates address legal, social, and economic issues that disproportionately affect African-American communities. NBA Region IX The LVNBA is part of NBA Region IX which is one of the largest and most geographically diverse of the twelve regions that compose the NBA. It includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Guam. Region IX Director F. Travis Buchanan is Assistant City Attorney for the City of Henderson, received his J.D. from Western State University College of Law, and is a past President of the LVNBA, F. Travis Buchanan, Regional Director for NBA Region IX Source: F. Travis Buchanan LVNBA Newsletter, Volume No. 3, Issue No December

2 ! L A S V E G A S C H A P T E R O F T H E N A T I O N A L B A R A S S O C I A T I O N Officers Doreen Spears Hartwell Prof. Rachel J. Anderson President Vice President 2012 Committee Chairs Amber White-Davidson, Scholarship Gala Sandra Douglass Morgan, Community Service TBD, Membership Editorial Staff Prof. Rachel J. Anderson Karl W. Armstrong Amber White-Davidson Izaac Rowe Colin Seale About this Issue This special issue of the LVNBA Newsletter is dedicated to celebrating the 30th Anniversary since the LVNBA was originally incorporated. A main theme of this issue is recognizing some of the achievements and contributions of our members over the past three decades and some of the roles that our members are taking on in the legal profession and the community today. In doing so, we hope to honor the vision of our founders, strengthen the LVNBA s ability to support its members, provide education and legal services to the most needy and underserved communities, and contribute positively to the legal profession in Nevada and the nation. With those goals in mind, this issue includes a broad range of information. We are especially pleased by the number of members who responded to our request for contributions about the LVNBA, their legal practice, their community involvement, or forward-looking contributions. We hope you enjoy this special issue and the snapshot it gives of our Association in this historic anniversary year. -- Professor Rachel J. Anderson Doreen Spears Hartwell is a shareholder in the Litigation Department at Lionel Sawyer & Collins. She received her J.D. from Pacific McGeorge School of Law. Ms. Spears Hartwell s areas of practice include Doreen Spears Hartwell litigation involving Source: Lionel Sawyer & employment, trade Collins secret and noncompete claims, real estate, trust/probate matters and other business-related disputes. She has successfully defended employers in cases involving wrongful termination, breach of contract, discrimination and/or harassment in violation of Title VII, the ADA, the ADEA and state employment statute claims. Ms. Spears Hartwell also has substantial experience in successfully litigating trade secret and non-compete claims. She is a Trustee of the LVNBA Foundation and was Co- Chair of the LVNBA Scholarship Gala Committee in 2010 and Karl O. Riley Secretary Karl Riley is an associate attorney in t h e c o m m e r c i a l litigation group at Snell & Wilmer in Las Vegas, NV. He received a B.S. in Business Administration in International Business Karl O. Riley from Washington Source: Snell & Wilmer University Olin School of Business and a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law where he served as an editor on the Journal of Technology and Intellectual Property. He represents clients in various contract disputes, particularly in bank and securities litigation. Mr. Riley also defends clients in all types of discrimination and harassment claims under Title VII and state law, as well as in wage and hour disputes. He was Chair of the LVNBA Membership and Elections Committee in Professor Rachel J. Anderson is a member of the faculty at the UNLV Boyd School of Law. She graduated from Reed High School in Sparks, holds a M.A. in International Policy from Stanford University, and received her J.D. from the University of California,. Berkeley School of Law where she served as an editor on the California Law Review, the Berkeley Journal of International Law, and the African-American Law & Policy Report. Before going into academia, Professor Anderson was an associate at Skadden, Arps London office and worked for the consulting branch of a German utility. She is a member of the Lutie A. Lytle Black Women Law Faculty Writing Workshop Advisory Committee and the National Advisory Board of the Berkeley Journal of African-American Law & Policy. She was LVNBA Secretary, Karl W. Armstrong Treasurer Prof. Rachel J. Anderson Source: Professor Rachel J. Anderson Karl Armstrong is Senior Counsel at Sherman & Associates and acts as staff counsel for Travelers' Insurance Company. He received his J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law where he served as an editor on The Journal of Corporation Law. He Karl W. Armstrong clerked for the Source: Karl Armstrong Honorable Addeliar D. Guy, III ( ). Mr. Armstrong worked as Assistant General Counsel for the University and Community College System of Nevada (now known as the Nevada System of Higher Education) from 1997 to 2001 and is believed to be the first African-American employed as an attorney by the Nevada System of Higher Education. He serves on the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline and is the Chairman and a member of the board of directors of Easter Seals of Southern Nevada. Mr. Armstrong was LVNBA Vice President, LVNBA Newsletter, Volume No. 3, Issue No December 2011

3 A Historical Perspective Do You Know Your History? by Justice Michael L. Douglas Unsung Heroes by Arthur L. Williams, Jr. LVNBA Key Dates LVNBA Members at a Scholarship Gala in the 1980s Pictured above: (standing, left to right) Andras Barbero, Robert Archie, James O. Porter, Michael L. Douglas, Kevin Williams, Thomas Peterson, Liz Hatcher, Arthur L. Williams, Jr., Marcus Cooper, Timothy C. Williams, John Bailey, Cuthbert Mack, Gary Booker, Dave Phillips, (left to right, seated) Johnnie B. Rawlinson, Geraldine Kirk-Hughes, Judge Addeliar D. Guy, III, Ben Logan, Betty Henderson, Adriana Cobb Source: LVNBA Archive at the Wiener-Rogers Law Library, picture donated by Arthur L. Williams, Jr. Do You Know Your History? Justice Michael L. Douglas Justice Michael L. Douglas, the first African-American Justice in Nevada s history, was appointed to the Supreme Court of Nevada in March 2004, and thereafter twice reelected. He received his J.D. from U.C. Hastings College of the Law. Justice Douglas moved to Las Vegas in 1982 and joined Nevada Legal Services until he was hired by the Clark County District Attorney s Office, where he served in the Civil Division until In January 1996, he was appointed to the Eighth Judicial District Court bench and was retained in an election later that year, serving until his appointment to the Supreme Court. On the District Court, he served as Chief Judge and Business Court Judge, and also served on District Court committees and Supreme Court Commissions. Justice Douglas is a past President of the LVNBA, If I said the names Judge Johnnie Rawlinson, Judge Michael Douglas, Judge Timothy Williams, Judge Lee Gates, Judge Karen Bennett-Haron you probably would know the name and the person. But, if I were to say the names Charles Kellar, Esq., Judge Robert Reid, Judge Earle White, Jr., Judge Addeliar D. Guy, III, Judge Robert Moon Mullen, Judge Kenneth Howard you might draw a blank as to the name and importance. So let me help you out: Charles Kellar, Esq. Kellar is a graduate of St. John s University Law School, a New York lawyer, and the first African American to take and pass the Nevada Bar Examination (1961). However, Mr. Kellar was not admitted by the State Bar of Nevada due to character (racism). In 1965, the Nevada Supreme Court reversed the action of the Bar and allowed Mr. Kellar to practice law in Nevada. Attorney Kellar was a civil rights leader, he filed suit to desegregate the Clark County School District and was President of the Las Vegas NAACP. LVNBA Newsletter, Volume No. 3, Issue No December

4 Judge Robert L. Reid & Judge Earle W. White, Jr. Graduates of Howard University School of Law, Judge Reid and Judge White were the first African Americans admitted to the State Bar of Nevada (1964). Judge Reid served as an alternate Judge for the Las Vegas Municipal Court, and was the first elected African-American Justice of the Peace in Las Vegas ( ). Judge Earle White, Jr. served as an attorney for the U.S. Housing and Home Finance Agency, now the Department of Housing and Urban Development prior to coming to Las Vegas. White also was a Clark County Public Defender (1967), and a hearing officer for the Nevada Equal Rights Commission. Judge White served as Justice of the Peace ( ), and in l985 was appointed to the District Court ( ). Judge Robert Moon Mullen Judge Mullen was the Chief Probation Officer for Clark County. In 1973 Judge Mullen became the first African American elected to the Las Vegas Municipal Court (non-attorney judge). Judge Addeliar D. Guy, III Judge Guy received his law degree from Loyola University School of Law in Chicago (1957) and practiced law in Chicago prior to moving to Las Vegas. In l967 Judge Guy was admitted to the Nevada Bar and thereafter was sworn in as the first African-American Deputy District Attorney in Las Vegas. In 1975, Judge Guy was appointed by Governor O Callahan as the first African-American District Court Judge, serving for over 20 years. Judge Kenneth Howard Judge Howard received his law degree from Pacific McGeorge School of Law in He was appointed to the Reno Municipal Court in 1998, and he is the only African-American judge in Reno. Just names and facts you need to know about Nevada and LVNBA roots. Unsung Heroes Arthur L. Williams, Jr. Arthur L. Williams, Jr. has a J.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law and was a founding member of the University of California, Los Angeles Black Student Union and its first President. Mr. Williams became the first African-American attorney employed at a major corporation in Nevada, upon being hired into the legal office at Reynolds Electrical & Engineering Co., Inc. (REECo), prime contractor operating Nevada Test Site (1977). He was promoted to General Counsel at REECo (1980), making him the first African American to hold that position at a major corporation in Nevada. Mr. Williams was also promoted to Second Vice President at REECo (1980), which made him the first African American to become an officer of a major corporation in Nevada. He was also the only African-American executive at that level at Edgerton, Germeshausen, and Grier, Inc. (EG&G), a Fortune 500 corporation, at that time. (REECo was a wholly owned subsidiary of EG&G.) Mr. Williams is a NAACP Executive Board Member, a member of the Clark County School Desegregation Task Force, and a member of the Supreme Court of Nevada Task Force for the Study of Racial and Economic Bias in the Justice System. He is one of the founders of the LVNBA, has served twice as the Association s President ( and ), and is currently Treasurer of the LVNBA Foundation. I am most grateful and appreciative for the Lifetime Achievement Award bestowed upon me; however, I would be remiss if I did not give recognition to a number of people that played an important role in any success I may have had with the LVNBA. Judge Guy was the driving force and mentor to all of us, then young attorneys in the founding of LVNBA. He believed that the young African- American lawyers of the LVNBA with their knowledge and talents should play a leadership role in societal matters, just as Charles Kellar had played an earlier key role in the advancement and fair treatment of Blacks in Las Vegas. Judge Guy, trained in the legal and political environment of Chicago, stressed the importance of collaboration with the NAACP and other organizations to promote civil rights in Nevada. My close friend Reverend Donald Clark (former President of LV NAACP) was one of the most important contributors to the success of our Banquet fundraiser. While Johnny Rawlinson and I, and a few other hard working members, were competing to see who would sell the most tickets, I had Donald Clark pushing me. Without the continuous Arthur L. Williams, Jr. at the First LVNBA Scholarship Gala Source: LVNBA Archive at the Wiener-Rogers Law Library Nevada Supreme Court Justice Michael L. Douglas Source: Justice Michael L. Douglas encouragement of Rev. Clark, I might not have had the fortitude to go on. After complaining to Rev. Clark about not having enough people to do the banquet, he asked, How many people do you have that you can count on? I said, Five or six people. He said, stop complaining and work with what you have and you will get the job done. That admonishment became one of my guiding principles. Rev. Clark would be there behind the scenes helping the LVNBA with many more banquets. REECo, my employer was not only unselfish in allowing me to have the flex time to work on this initial banquet, but fully supported me in many banquets to follow. Attorney John Thorndal and his law firm and a number of other law firms fully supported the LVNBA fundraising efforts for many years. To all of these people, and others too numerous to mention, I am truly grateful and appreciative. LVNBA Key Dates 1925 National Bar Association established 1981 Las Vegas Chapter of the National Bar Association (LVNBA) originally incorporated by: Robert Archie, Andras F. Barbero, B. Jeanne Banks, Marcus Cooper, James Davidson, Michael Allen Davis, David Dean, Booker T. Evans, Judge Addeliar D. Guy, III, James O. Porter, Johnnie B. Rawlinson, Dan Winder, Arthur L. Williams, Jr. and Justice of the Peace Earle W. White, Jr First Scholarship Gala held at Alexis Park 2005 Reincorporation of the LVNBA by Arthur L. Williams, Jr., Jason Frierson, Sandra Douglass Morgan, and Cybill Dotson 2008 Incorporation of the LVNBA Foundation 2011 Creation of the LVNBA Archive at the Wiener-Rogers Law Library 2012 NBA Annual Convention in Las Vegas 4 LVNBA Newsletter, Volume No. 3, Issue No December 2011

5 Members on the Association s Past, Present, & Future Booker T. Evans John Bailey Alzora Jackson Marsha Kimble-Simms Judge Nancy Allf Assemblyman Jason Frierson 2011 Scholarship Gala Source: LVNBA Archive at the Wiener-Rogers Law Library Booker T. Evans Booker T. Evans is a shareholder at Greenberg Traurig. He received his M.A. from Northern Arizona University and his J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law. He is believed to be the first African-American in Nevada hired at a large national law firm and is a founding member of the LVNBA. The LVNBA has become an integral part of the very fabric of the Las Vegas legal community. From its inception in 1981, its primary role has been to increase the role of minority attorneys, not only among lawyers and judges but, in business, politics and most importantly, among the people of Southern Nevada. There were only a handful of us when the organization was created but the energy and the desire to create successful careers for those who would come later to emulate, made the group's influence much greater than our actual number. The judges; members of law firms; entrepreneurs who created their own practices: the public lawyers; law professors; the Dean of the State's only law school; those who chose business; and this states primary industrial vehicle, the gaming industry, are all spawn from that small group of founders. We have grown in numbers, influence and stature since the LVNBA was established. While we can take pride in what has been accomplished, it takes only a moment to realize that our numbers must continue to grow because even the loss of a single member causes a ripple through our community that quickly becomes a wave. The future of LVNBA is important for many reasons. It provides the educational and professional role models for our youth. It provides a voice for our community in forums where those without our education and training cannot speak for themselves. It creates a legacy and a history for those who aspire to practice law to lean on as they strive to become more proficient, more influential and even more effective than those who went before them. We must continue to share our knowledge..., to share with others the road we traveled so that they are aware of and, are better able to avoid the obstacles that will invariably appear in their path. I have loved the practice of law. The very idea that clients place their faith in my ability to represent them in a forum that is foreign to them; a forum where they cannot speak for themselves; and, choose me to be their voice, is humbling. As an organization, we must continue to strive to do our best to ensure that we send our community lawyers who are more than just competent. We must provide lawyers who are excellent and, somehow, let our community hear our voice so that they know we are here. No matter the fact that our Country's culture seems bent on turning the practice of law into a business, for me, and I hope for the lawyers who read this, it is a profession, a calling if you will. A platform to serve the needs of others. This should be the mission of the LVNBA. The effort to do "good" work is a shared journey that none of us have walked alone but, with our varied backgrounds and diverse skill sets, we can make a great organization even greater by working together. LVNBA Newsletter, Volume No. 3, Issue No December

6 John R. Bailey John R. Bailey is the Managing Partner at Bailey Kennedy and received his J.D. from Pacific McGeorge School of Law. He was the first African-American shareholder at Lionel Sawyer & Collins, Las Vegas largest local law firm and is a past President of the LVNBA, Congratulations to the LVNBA on celebrating its 30th Anniversary. Many things have changed in the last three decades (e.g., Judge Johnnie B. Rawlinson became the first African American woman to sit on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and Chief Justice Michael Douglas became the first African-American Justice on the Nevada Supreme Court). But one thing hasn t changed: the dedication and generosity of the many volunteers who devote countless hours to make the LVNBA such an outstanding organization. Because of these volunteers, the Association has awarded tens of thousands of dollars to minority and low income law students through its Foundation. Since its inception, the Association has educated, mentored, and inspired its members, driving us to become productive members of the legal community who serve as positive role models for the young people who follow in our footsteps. I have no doubt the Association will continue to do so for the next 30 years and beyond. Alzora Jackson Alzora Jackson is a Special Public Defender and received her J.D. from Willamette University College of Law. She clerked for U.S. Magistrate Judge Phyllis Halsey-Atkins, Federal District Court, Reno ( ). I came to Las Vegas in At that time the NBA was a small yet cohesive group of attorneys who had a definite presence in the legal community. I was excited to join right away. In some of the first meetings I attended, I was impressed with the issues taken up by the group. We addressed head on some of the problems encountered by African American attorneys in the courtroom. This was quite a bold approach and I was impressed coming from Reno where we did not have enough attorneys to form a coalition. Later on, the group had enough political clout to be actively involved in the selection process by our endorsement of a new Public Defender for Clark County when long time chief, Morgan Harris, retired. The front running candidates attended our meeting to answer questions, present their platform and seek our endorsement. As a result, Marcus Cooper, the first and only African American public defender was appointed by the county manger. Then, the group sort of waned, but thankfully, this was quite short lived. It is with great thanks and heartfelt gratitude that I commend the tireless attorneys who have successfully kept the organization going through good and difficult times. My congratulations and thanks also to the founders, among them my husband, Dan Winder, Esq., who started this branch. The past officers, especially the presidents, have established a legacy of excellence and greatness by African American attorneys which inspired me when I arrived here in Las Vegas. To the extent that I have contributed to the legal and general community, I owe a debt of gratitude to those who labored hard before me and those of you who picked up the banner and continued to march. And so, on this our 30th anniversary, I offer my congratulations and pledge my undying support. God bless you all. Judge Nancy Allf Judge Nancy Allf is a Judge on the Eighth Judicial District Court. She received her J.D. from Northern Kentucky University Salmon P. Chase College of Law. She is a past president of the State Bar of Nevada. In the 1990's, I joined the National Bar Association after attending my first Scholarship Dinner at the invitation of my friends Karl and Shondra Armstrong. I was touched by the efforts of a small group to make it easier for others to follow them in to the legal profession. Back then, there were probably less than 200 people in attendance. It has been with great pleasure that I've watched the group grow and thrive. I was able to share in the latest Scholarship Dinner with over 500 people in attendance from all walks of life and all segments of our community. I am so proud to see as the number and amounts of the scholarships the NBA awards grows annually. And I'm even happier to see how those who received the scholarships continue to give back. Having lived in Nevada now for almost 30 years, I love the fabric of our diverse city and believe that everyone offers something to enrich us all and make Las Vegas special. When I was involved as a volunteer for the Clark County Bar Association and the State Bar of Nevada, one of my goals was to help shape the future of the profession so that our legal community might be as diverse and unique as the people we serve. I may have originally been apprehensive to join, but I was warmly welcomed. I keep my membership active today because those few members made the effort to grow the NBA into an association that does so much to enrich us all. Thank you, National Bar Association, and please keep up your important work. Assemblyman, Dept. 8 Jason Frierson Assemblyman Jason Frierson is a Deputy Public Defender at the Clark County Public Defender s Office and received his J.D. from the UNLV Boyd School of Law. He is a past president of the LVNBA, It is with great humility that I reflect back on the opportunities to be involved with the Las Vegas Chapter of the National Bar Association. One of the earliest experiences I can remember in my legal career was when I was a law student at the NBA Banquet. This was the first time I found myself in a room full of professional African Americans. There was a room full of people there to support an organization founded to fight for the principles my own family instilled in me. When given the chance to work with Arthur Williams and Lizzie Hatcher to bring the organization back to an active status in 2005, I felt like it was not only an honor, but an obligation. I have no doubt that my experiences with the LVNBA have helped me to become the committed public servant I am today. I went on to clerk at the Nevada Supreme Court, work in private practice, serve for three years as a Deputy Attorney General and then as a Deputy Public Defender for the past seven years. I just completed my first term as Nevada State Assemblyman for District 8, and I am forever indebted to this wonderful organization for being a part of the foundation of my legal career. The impact that the LVNBA has had on this community is reflected by the increase in the number of African American attorneys who come to Nevada and remain. It is also reflected by the passion and quality of the advocacy in this community on issues important to all Nevadans. Congratulations on the past 30 years, and best wishes for 30 years to come! 6 LVNBA Newsletter, Volume No. 3, Issue No December 2011

7 Items by Members In Public Service Assemblyman William Horne Assemblywoman Dina Neal Serving Communities Karl Armstrong Sandra Douglass Morgan Alda A. Anderson Marsha Kimble-Simms Growing in the Profession Tierra Jones Kelley Jones Art Williams New Year s Party 2011 ended with one of Art Williams traditional New Year s parties, giving some newer LVNBA members an opportunity to enjoy it for the first time and others an opportunity to reminisce. It was truly a year to remember. Source: LVNBA Archive at the Wiener-Rogers Law Library Assemblyman, Dist. 34 William Horne The Law Office of William C. Horne LLC J.D., UNLV Boyd School of Law I would like to congratulate the Las Vegas Chapter of the National Bar Association on reaching 30 years in service to the Nevada community. I have been a member of the Nevada Assembly since This length of service has provided me a window into the wide range impact our members are making on the Nevada landscape. A glimpse of these contributions range from Nevada Supreme Court Justice Michael L. Douglas becoming the first African American justice, and rising to Chief Justice, to Aaron Ford becoming the first African-American partner at the Las Vegas office of the prestigious law firm of Snell and Wilmer, LLP, and even myself, the first African-American attorney to serve in the State Legislature. There are many more of us making similar contributions, too many to name. However, we should not rest on our laurels. As the current chair of the assembly Judiciary Committee and Majority Whip, I plan to continue to address issues concerning gaming, law enforcement, education, health care and job creation. It s important that we keep a watchful eye on these issues because in addition to assisting good legislation in becoming law, we have to be vigilant in preventing bad laws from happening. We all have a vested interest in the success of the LVNBA and the state of Nevada. I humbly ask each of you to assist one another in making us all successful. Lets each grab an oar and row together towards our bright future. LVNBA Newsletter, Volume No. 3, Issue No December

8 Assemblywoman, Dist. 7 Dina Neal College of Southern Nevada J.D. Southern University Audre Lorde once said, Silence has never brought us anything of worth. In 08 we came together with a single mind and we made a choice for change. In Nevada now, the choice for change is still unanswered. As the only African-American woman serving in the legislature, I find myself often caught in an ideological quagmire; that is represented by two words, reform and revolution. Our needs for reform remain historical, in education, equal punishment for crimes, equal justice, glass ceilings, and lastly discrimination in hiring practices and contract awards. The need for revolution remains constant, because we do need a complete, structural change in the equitable application of social justice and law. I learned that in order to get any of these issues passed, it takes deliberate strategy and thorough understanding of the evidentiary basis that must be neatly packaged in order to persuade fellow legislative members; that the problem is real and serves a general constitutional public purpose that needs to be remedied. I also learned that as a member of an underrepresented, but powerful group, we have to act collectively to lobby for our issues. There is a distinct necessity to allocate pressure from within and outside of the state to promote change of a human condition that seems to remain prevalent for people who are poor and people of color. These simple short legislative lessons, are not just indicative of Nevada, but I believe in all states, and as members of the National Bar Association, we need to maintain our network to have complete change for our future. It is time for us to swing the pendulum back. The greatest vision a leader can have is to empower the people in which he or she serves. Karl Armstrong Senior Counsel at Sherman & Associates Acts as Staff Counsel for Travelers' Insurance Company J.D., University of Iowa College of Law My name is Karl Armstrong and since 2001 I have served as a member of the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline. This is a Commission that is tasked through the State Constitution to regulate the activities of Judicial Officers on matters that involve the Canons of Judicial Conduct. In public discipline matters, the Commission acts as a Court of Judicial Discipline. The commission fields complaints from the public regarding the activities of Judicial Officers. I am one of two attorney members on the Commission who are appointed by the State Bar of Nevada. I was honored to be selected by the Bar to serve on this important state wide Panel. My term expires in I also serve as a member of the Southern Nevada Disciplinary Board. This is a group that is run by the State Bar of Nevada that investigates and hears complaints regarding lawyer conduct in Southern Nevada. They make recommendations to the Supreme Court of Nevada regarding possible disciplinary sanctions against attorneys. My term expires in I served for 9 years previously on the panel from The endeavor that is closest to my Heart is serving on the Board of Directors of Easter Seals Nevada. The organization is a non profit dedicated to enhancing the lives of those with disabilities. Easter Seals Nevada is a statewide provider of early intervention services, child care, autism services, workforce investment and job training, assistive technologies, and adult day and assistive living services. I am presently Chairman of the Board of Directors of this fine organization. Sandra Douglass Morgan Senior Deputy City Attorney for the City of North Las Vegas J.D., UNLV Boyd School of Law I currently serve as Vice- Chairman for the Olive Crest Board of Trustees. The mission of Olive Crest is to prevent child abuse, treat and educate children, and preserve the family one life at a time. Approximately two years ago, I became involved with Olive Crest when I witnessed the staff s devotion and passion to providing safe homes, counseling and education for children and their parents. Olive Crest offers several programs in Nevada including: Family Preservation Programs, Foster Care Services, Mental Health Services, and Workforce Development for Transitioning Foster Youth (Project Independence). The primary goal and focus of all of Olive Crest s programs is to ensure that each child is part of a supportive family unit. As a Senior Deputy City Attorney for the City of North Las Vegas, I know that the Olive Crest Family Resource Center, located in North Las Vegas, is providing much needed family support services to families, such as food, clothing, and baby items. Additionally, the Family Resource Center provides on-site case management services to provide assistance and information for families of other resources in Southern Nevada ranging from housing to energy assistance. It is so rewarding for me to witness the several children and families that benefit daily from the Family Resource Center, and from the community events hosted by Olive Crest throughout the year. Every child should have a safe, welcoming place to learn and play, and should know what it means to be a part of a family. As professionals, we often work long hours and spend time developing business relationships. Volunteering with Olive Crest reminds me that giving to others, creating a better place to live for our children, and cultivating familial relationships is what is most important in life. For more information on Olive Crest, please see Alda A. Anderson Law Office of Alda A. Anderson J.D., The George Washington University School of Law Doing Well While Doing Good I was never born with a spoon, much less a silver spoon, in my mouth, hand, or any where else. So I am keenly aware of who brung me to this place and the true identity of my dance partners. Nuns ignored the dirty uniform, BO and bad breath to ensure that I performed at my maximum, academically; friends provided my parents with food to feed seven kids; and godfathers, cousins, uncles, and numerous unconnected persons, remembered and forgotten, all contributed to my B.A., M.Ed. and J.D. Degrees. Teacher and Lawyer are titles I proudly hold, but for which others, in large and small ways, paid. As a result, and especially in memory of my mother, who died too young, no doubt from doing too much to keep a roof (even a leaky one the rats used at nights to practice whatever Olympic track events rats practice for) over our heads, giving back is not just a feelgood undertaking; it is a must. But as a small business with employees, rent, CLE S, bar dues, court cost, and filing fees that must be paid, how much good can one do and still stay in business? Most of the clients who come through my door cannot pay. If they manage to scrape up the retainer, that is all the money you may ever get. So the decision becomes do I withdraw because they can t pay or do I stay because this is a good thing to do and the client is deserving? Case in point, for the past two and a half years, I have been waging a battle with the attorneys for 8 LVNBA Newsletter, Volume No. 3, Issue No December 2011

9 two banks and a trust company over the wrongful foreclosure of a client s home. We have survived four Motions to Dismiss, One Summary Judgment Motion, and two Unlawful Detainer actions. The outstanding legal fee is over $80, The client has paid a total of about $3,000. This is no way to run a railroad. She is very deserving, and the facts clearly show that the banks took advantage of her; but can I remain in business for long if I continue to do these things, even if they are good things to do? Does there come a time when good has to give way to reality, i.e., the reality that if you keep on doing what you re doing, you will not remain in business long enough to keep on doing what you re doing? Marsha Kimble- Simms Simms Law, Firm, LLC Appointed to the State Bar of Nevada Law Foundation Commissioner on the State of Nevada Adult Parole and Offenders Interstate Compact Commission As a member of the Las Vegas Chapter of the National Bar Association, I have truly enjoyed the mentorship program established in 2006 with Cybil Dotson heading up the mentorship program at the time. There are thousands of lawyers in this country, but only approximately 3% are African American and there are approximately 90 African American lawyers in Nevada. I have mentored two law students from William S. Boyd School of Law, a student from Green Valley High School, and several college students from the University of Arizona, Wayne State University, the University of Georgia, and the University of Oregon. The college students participated in criminal trials and sought advice concerning preparation courses for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). I am proud to say that all of my college mentees are now enrolled in law schools around the country and they are planning to return to Nevada to practice law. The law students would meet at my law office once every two weeks and discuss challenges and career opportunities for minority lawyers. My mentees have accompanied me court, giving them an opportunity to meet two of of Nevada s African- American jurists Chief Justice Court Judge Karen Bennett and District Court Judge Timothy Williams. The LVNBA has worked diligently to increase the percentage of minority attorneys in our state by providing mentors and role models for students within the legal profession. I am pleased to have had an opportunity to participate in the LVNBA mentoring program. Kelley Jones Ninth Circuit Law Clerk J.D., UNLV Boyd School of Law Do you like to research and write? Do you enjoy intellectual and s t i m u l a t i n g conversations with law nerds like yourself? Do you wish you could have theoretical and philosophical legal discussions with a Federal Circuit judge? Does federal appellate work appeal to you? If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, then you may want to be a federal circuit court of appeals law clerk. I have the privilege and honor to clerk in the one of the most intelligent and controversial federal circuits in country. Yes, Virginia, I clerk for a Ninth Circuit Judge. The role of a law clerk is to assist his or her judge in researching the legal issues for the cases on their judge s calendar. Each active federal circuit court judge has four law clerks and most law clerks serve one-year terms. However, some judges have permanent or career law clerks, which are law clerks who are full-time legal staff for the judge. Federal appellate judges are responsible for approximately thirty to thirty-five cases on each calendar sitting which occurs nine to ten months a year. Additionally, there are four en banc, or total panel cases, which happen four times a year. Judges are randomly selected for en banc cases. Appellate judges are required to read and intimately know each case on their calendar. As a Ninth Circuit law clerk, I have the privilege to see a variety of cases, civil, criminal, and administrative. I have an opportunity to learn a new area of law with each calendar. I also have the privilege to learn from one of the most brilliant legal minds in the country. As a Ninth Circuit law clerk, I have had the opportunity to improve my writing skills, hone my oratory and debate skills, and refine my legal analysis skills. Additionally, I have the privilege to have a Ninth Circuit Judge as a mentor for my legal career. If this type of experience piques your interest, you should consider applying for a federal circuit clerkship. I think you will find the experience educational, challenging, and rewarding. I know I have. Tierra Jones Nye County District Attorney's Office J.D., UNLV Boyd School of Law In 2009, I entered the Leadership Las Vegas program. Leadership Las Vegas is a program sponsored by the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, and it is designed to assist individuals in learning different things about Las Vegas. The program explores all different areas of Las Vegas; including the history of Las Vegas, the education system, the criminal justice system, and the community safety-net resources of Las Vegas. Being a part of Leadership Las Vegas was a great experience for me. I was able to meet people from many different walks of life, while contributing to community service within Las Vegas. It was a great experience for me to learn about the different industries and become familiar with different aspects of Las Vegas. It was also exceptional to see the different services that are offered within the Las Vegas community and to be a part of providing those services to the citizens in the community. While I enjoyed each session of Leadership Las Vegas, two of my favorite sessions were Education and Community Safety Net. During the education session, I became aware of the problems facing our education system in Las Vegas and how important it is that we all do our part to educate our youth. The Community Safety Net session taught me about the different community resources that are utilized in our community, and how important it is to take part in providing these resources. But overall, it was the success stories of individuals who have used the community resources that made Community Safety Net a great experience. I highly recommend the program and I am so grateful that I was a part of the 2010 class of Leadership Las Vegas. WRBLSA Member of the Year Elisabeth Flemming In 2011, Elisabeth Flemming was selected as the Western Region of the National Black Law Students Association s Member of the Year. Ms. Flemming was the President of the Boyd BLSA Chapter. She was also the Western Region BLSA Parliamentarian and a member of the National BLSA Social Action Committee. LVNBA Newsletter, Volume No. 3, Issue No December

10 2011 Year in Review 30th Anniversary Founders Celebration May 14, 2011, Cili Restaurant at the Bali Hai Golf Club In 2011, we celebrated the 30-year anniversary of the original incorporation of the Association and honored the founding members. The brainchild of then President Richard F. Boulware, the event was organized by Mr. Boulware, Patricia Lee, and Prof. Anderson. Five of the fourteen founding members (left to right): Andras F. Barbero, Arthur L. Williams, Jr., Booker T. Evans, James O. Porter, Dan Winder Source: LVNBA Archive at the Wiener-Rogers Law Library The event was very well attended - two founders even flew in from other parts of the country - and a lot of community building took place. More established members of the community reconnected and had a chance to catch up on each other s lives. More recent entrants to the profession had a valuable opportunity to get to know many of luminaries of the African-American legal community in an intimate setting. We celebrated and honored our founders with an oral history performance. The script for the oral history performance was written by Prof. Anderson and Richard Boulware and performed by Prof. Anderson, Boulware, F. Travis Buchanan, Patricia Lee, Jonathan MacArthur, and Doreen Spears Hartwell. The content of the performance came from oral history transcripts in the LVNBA Archive. -- Except where noted, Prof.. Anderson is the 2011 Year in Review contributor Oral History Project In 2011, we recorded and transcribed more than 20 oral histories that have become part of the LVNBA Archive. The oral history interviews are conducted by Claytee White, Director of the Oral History Research Project at UNLV Scholarship Gala November 19, 2011, Bally s Las Vegas The 2011 Scholarship Gala was held on Saturday, November 19, 2011 at Bally s Las Vegas Skyview Ballroom. Riveting acceptance speeches were expressed to the 350 plus attendees for this year s honorees: (1) Community Service Award Recipient - Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada; (2) Corporate Award Recipient - Caesars Foundation; (3) Law Firm of the Year Award Recipient - Snell & Wilmer; (4) Lawyer of the Year Award Recipient - Alzora Jackson-Winder, Esq.; and (5) Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient - Arthur Williams, Jr., Esq. The LVNBA and LVNBA Foundation also was able to award $10, in scholarships to five law students at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, William S. Boyd School of Law. Mrs. Jackson-Winder s charge to act with courage will hopefully inspire all attendees to not let fear stand in the way from their success in their careers and lives. Mr. Williams history of creating opportunities for youth and African-Americans surely motivated attendees to realize that more progression can be made in the Las Vegas community. For a complete review of the video honoring Mr. Williams and expressing how Mr. Williams has been a pioneer throughout his life, please visit On behalf of the Scholarship Gala Committee, we thank the sponsors, advertisers and attendees for their support in ensuring the success of the 2011 Scholarship Gala, and look forward to an even more successful event in Source: Amber White-Davidson -- Amber White-Davidson, Esq., 2011 Scholarship Gala Committee Co-Chair Nevada Lawyer Project In 2011, we began a comprehensive state-wide research project on the history of civil rights and African-American lawyers in Nevada. This project is the brainchild of LVNBA member Kathleen J. England. It is a joint venture with the State Bar of Nevada. It is guided by a Steering Committee: Professor Rachel J. Anderson, Richard F. Boulware, Senator Richard Bryan, Kathleen J. England, Dr. Joanne Goodwin, Pro. Kay P. Kindred, Geralda Miller, Guy Roca, Beau Sterling, and Claytee D. White. The results will be highlighted in a special Black History Month issue of the Nevada Lawyer in February Boyd Public Interest Law Film Festival September 30, 2011, Thomas & Mack Moot Court at the UNLV Boyd School of Law The LVNBA co-sponsored the all-day film festival. All events were free and open to the public. The festival included four films: American Idealist: The Story of Sargent Shriver Cruz Reynoso: Sowing the Seeds of Justice Chisolm '72: Unbought & Unbossed Soul of Justice: Thelton Henderson's American Journey (back row: left to right) Prof. Rachel J. Anderson, Arthur L. Williams, Jr., Doreen Spears Hartwell, Amber White Davidson, Richard F. Boulware, Dean John V. White, (front row: left to right) Judge Johnnie B. Rawlinson, Karen Williams, Kelley Jones Source: Boyd School of Law Photo Library LVNBA Founder, Judge Johnnie B. Rawlinson made remarks after the final film. The festival concluded with a reception held in the Wiener-Rogers Law Library, home to the LVNBA Archive. Backpack Drive August 31, 2011 at Kit Carson Elementary School LVNBA members presented students with backpacks and talked with them about becoming lawyers. Bowling Social April 9, 2011 at Texas Star Lanes, N. Las Vegas Members enjoyed the bowling social. It was a great opportunity to get to know other members and their families in a relaxed atmosphere. Ringing in the New Year Dec. 31, 2011-Jan. 1, 2012 at Art Williams Home LVNBA members celebrated in style as Art Williams reprised one of his famous New Year s parties. 10 LVNBA Newsletter, Volume No. 3, Issue No December 2011

11 LVNBA Archive at the Wiener-Rogers Law Library The LVNBA has established an archive at the Wiener-Rogers Law Library at the UNLV Boyd School of Law. Thanks to the Archive s founding donor, Arthur L. Williams, Jr., the Archive started off with a significant collection. Williams is one of the fourteen LVNBA founders and, in his typical visionary yet understated style, he has been collecting and preserving pictures and documents from the very beginning. In 2010, at the LVNBA s 20th Annual Scholarship Gala held at the Rio in Las Vegas, Williams and Professor Rachel J. Anderson were discussing the importance of possessing and transferring historical knowledge. Prof. Anderson remarked that they should start collecting pictures and documents. Williams responded, I ve been doing that for the past thirty years. I was just waiting for someone to come along and do something with them. The next day, Prof. Anderson spoke with LVNBA President Richard F. Boulware, who was excited about and supportive of the idea, and then contacted Professor Jeanne Price, Director of the Wiener-Rogers Law Library at the UNLV Boyd School of Law, who was also enthusiastic about the project. At the November 2010 general membership meeting, Prof. Anderson provided a full overview of the proposal to create the LVNBA Archive and members asked questions and discussed the archive. The umbrella agreement establishing the archive was entered into in April To learn more about the archive, donate materials, sign up for an oral history interview, or get involved, please contact an Archive Committee member. The 2011 committee members were Prof. Anderson, Karl Armstrong, and F. Travis Buchanan. -- Professor Rachel J. Anderson Archive Frequently Asked Questions What is an archive? An archive is a collection of documents, photographs, film, ephemera materials of all types and formats that relate to a particular individual, organization, or topic of potential interest to historians, researchers, and community members. What is the purpose of an archive? Archives preserve, collect, and organize materials of historical and/or current interest. Archives may also facilitate access to materials collected whether through finding aids that list materials collected or through online resources that make digitized archival materials available to wide audiences. Access to archives may be open to the public, closed, or otherwise restricted to particular types of researchers, researchers with particular affiliations, or researchers with specified purposes. Archives serve an educational function. Archival collections educate the public and specific communities about the individual, organization, or topic on which the archival collection is focused. Archives provide primary source materials that enable students and scholars of all levels to better understand an era, a community, a movement, an individual, etc. An archive collects the past for the future. It preserves memories; it documents history; and it attracts interest in the subject of the collection Program from the 10th Scholarship Gala Source: LVNBA Archive at the Wiener- Rogers Law Library Why an archive for the LVNBA? The LVNBA represents an important part of the Las Vegas legal community; the activities and contributions of its members have had a significant impact on the Nevada Bar, Nevada law and government, the Las Vegas community, etc. Many LVNBA members hold prominent positions in the community and have played important roles in the development of Nevada jurisprudence. Their papers, photographs, stories, etc., personalize the history of the Association and provide new perspectives on development of the Bar in Nevada. How would an archive benefit the LVNBA and the community? Materials donated by the LVNBA and its members document the role of the Association and its members in the legal community, allowing the Association to promote and highlight its activities and contributions to the community, and honor members who have made a difference or who were trailblazers in Nevada jurisprudence and government. LVNBA materials are unique, represent an important community within Las Vegas, and provide a distinct perspective on the development of both the local Bar and state jurisprudence and government more generally. The LVNBA Archive facilitates building relationships with community members, and provides a resource for information about the history of the Association and the contributions of its members. The LVNBA Archive educates the community about the role of the African-American Bar in Las Vegas, the development of the Association, and milestones achieved by its members. LVNBA documents are of interest to students and scholars interested in the African-American community in Las Vegas and the development of the local Bar. Oral histories of distinguished members honor those individuals, showcase their contributions, and provide an insight on their path to prominence. What does the archive include? The LVNBA archive includes Association records, publicity materials, photographs, newspaper clippings, correspondence, newsletters and other publications, oral histories, video recordings, etc. The Archive will continue to be enriched by the contribution of materials from LVNBA members. Why create an archive in 2011? 2011 was the 30-year anniversary of the original founding of the LVNBA. One of the goals of the LVNBA is to increase the visibility of the association and its members. Many LVNBA members have made significant contributions to the local bar and state jurisprudence. There are members willing to do the work now. Why the law school and why the law library? The law library has a responsibility to serve the community and to preserve and enhance access to information and materials that represent the local legal community and are of interest to students and scholars. The LVNBA archive at the law school distinguishes the law library and contributes to the law school s mission and engagement in the community. How are archives managed? Libraries usually maintain archival collections. Libraries have expertise in preservation and information organization; their mission is to support researchers information needs. Thank you card for donation of school supplies Source: LVNBA Archive at the Wiener-Rogers Law Library Once the archival collection is received at the library, library staff undertake whatever preservation is necessary, to organize the collection contents, prepare a finding aid (i.e., a list of materials in the collection), and work with the donor to define access policies. Materials that are likely to be of special interest will be digitized and organized into an online exhibit or database. Online exhibits promote the subject of the collection and encourage easy access for scholars and students. -- Professor Jeanne Price, Director of the Wiener- Rogers Law Library LVNBA Newsletter, Volume No. 3, Issue No December

12 In 2011, the LNVBA and the LNVBA Foundation gave $10,000 in scholarships to five law students: Britannica Collins, UNLV Boyd School of Law J.D. Candidate, May 2013 Nechole Garcia, UNLV Boyd School of Law J.D. Candidate, May 2013 Izaac Rowe, UNLV Boyd School of Law J.D. Candidate, May 2015 Colin Seale, UNLV Boyd School of Law J.D. Candidate, May 2013 Brittnie Watkins, UNLV Boyd School of Law J.D. Candidate, May 2013 and Ph.D. in Educational Psychology Candidate, May 2013 Scholarship Recipients ( ) 2007 Amber White-Davidson 2008 Kareema Turner & Nata Kaul 2009 Colin Seale, Nechole Garcia, Jessica Goodey, & Richard Manhattan 2010 Nichole Duru, Elisabeth Flemming, Courtney Ketter, Kimberley Loges, & Randolph Westbrook, III Scholarship recipients (left to right): Brittnie Watkins, Colin Seale, Britannica Collins Source: LVNBA Archive at the Wiener-Rogers Law Library 22nd Annual Scholarship Gala Since 1987, the LVNBA and the LVNBA Foundation have provided scholarships to many law students, a number of whom have become attorneys practicing law in Nevada today. The scholarships are funded by the Scholarship Gala. Corporate Service Award: Caesars Foundation Community Service Award Legal Aid Center Law Firm of the Year Snell and Wilmer Attorney of the Year Award Alzora B. Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award Arthur L. Williams, Jr. Duane Holloway The Corporate Service Award is given to a local corporation that has demonstrated a commitment to diversity at all levels and by engaging in such efforts has yielded a positive benefit to the local community. Caesars Foundation funds programs and projects of $10,000 or more to strengthen organizations and programs in the communities where Caesars Entertainment's employees and their families live and work. The five pictures above of the award recipients are from the LVNBA Archive at the Wiener- Rogers Law Library. Richard F. Boulware & Barbara Buckley The Community Service Award is given to a local individual or non-profit organization that has gone well above and beyond the call of duty and engaged in community service efforts that have improved the quality of life for members of the greater Las Vegas community or performed other good works. The Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada provides free quality legal counsel, advice, and representation for people in Clark County who are unable to protect their rights because they cannot afford an attorney. (left to right) Richard F. Boulware, Patrick G. Byrne, & Aaron Ford The Law Firm of the Year Award is given to a local law firm that has demonstrated a commitment to diversity at all levels and/or has handled cases or matters yielding a positive benefit to the greater community, especially the communities that are most needy and underserved. Snell and Wilmer is a member of the Diversity Leadership Alliance and their attorneys are personally and actively involved with organizations dedicated to diversity and groups and organizations that address legal issues affecting the most needy and underserved communities. The Attorney of the Year Award is given to a local attorney, who has provided exceptional client service, served a diverse client base with great success, and inspired the Association s membership through the ethical practice of law and service to the communities that are most needy and underserved. Ms. Jackson has a J.D. from Willamette and clerked for U.S. Magistrate Phyllis Halsey Atkins. Ms. Jackson is currently a Special Public Defender specializing in murder and capital murder cases. She is also well known for her mentorship of young attorneys. Mr. Williams has a J.D. from UCLA and was the UCLA Black Student Union s first President. He was the first African-American attorney employed at a major corporation, to become General Counsel, and to become an officer of a major corporation in Nevada. He is one of the founders of the LVNBA and has served twice as the Association s President. He is an N.A.A.C.P. Executive Board Member, a member of the Clark County School Desegregation Task Force, and a member of the Supreme Court of Nevada Task Force for the Study of Racial and Economic Bias in the Justice System. The Scholarship Gala is hosted by the Las Vegas Chapter of the National Bar Association Foundation and the LVNBA. The Foundation is a public charity created to encourage diversity in the legal field by providing scholarships to minority and low-income law students. 12 LVNBA Newsletter, Volume No. 3, Issue No December 2011

13 Looking Toward the Future A Next Generation of Lawyers and Leaders - UNLV Boyd BLSA Spring 2011 Fall BLSA Executive Board BLSA Executive Board Alicia Monroe - Treasurer Brittnie Watkins - Secretary Kimberly Loges - Vice President of Programming Elisabeth Flemming - President Tina Mims - Vice President of Philanthropy and Operations Sarah Bassett - Social Chair Randy Westbrook - Student Bar Association & Part Time Student Liaison Runner Up for 2011 Western Region BSLA Chapter of the Year Western Regional Competition Participants, Spring 2011 at UNLV Frederick Douglas Moot Court Competition: Koren Boyd, Kimberley Loges, Tina Mims, & Brittnie Watkins Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competition: Randy Westbrook, Kathleen Wilde, Danny Ryan, Zarinah Muhammad Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition Best Respondent Brief: Koren Boyd & Kimberley Loges President - Brittnie Watkins Vice President of Operations and Philanthropy - Angela Cook Vice President of Programming and Community Relations - Colin Seale Treasurer - Britannica Collins Secretary Trella Mclean Fundraising Chair - Kiera Sears Social and Mentoring Chair - Sonya Miller Student Bar Association & Part-Time Student Liaison - Joshua Igeleke Black Graduate Students Association & College Student Division Outreach - Jonathan Lee Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Team Britannica Collins Sonya Miller Kiera Sears Brittnie Watkins The team is planning on competing in the January 2012 Western Regional Competition in Seattle. A Law Student Perspective My law school experience proves the truth behind the adage, anything worth having is worth working for. Since the commencement of my studies at William S. Boyd School of Law, I have spent countless hours researching, writing, studying, and outlining. I have also worked extensively for the Nevada Law Journal, first as a junior staffer, and currently, as an editor. However, my hard work has reaped bountiful rewards. I now have an enlightened perspective on various legal and social issues. I can think like a lawyer, and have honed my oratory, writing, negotiation, and trial skills. Moreover, because I have worked fulltime throughout law school, I developed valuable life skills, such as multi-tasking, prioritizing, and time management. Additionally, I formed several friendships in law school that will doubtless prove invaluable both personally and professionally, for many years. I have also received financial assistance from organizations such as the Las Vegas Chapter of the National Bar Association, from which I received a scholarship on two separate occasions. I am grateful for the LVNBA s generosity, and the opportunity to be affiliated with such a prestigious organization. My legal training and experience has not been limited to the classroom setting, however. I have worked for the past twelve years in both criminal and civil areas of practice. During this time, I gained unique insight into the legal profession by working closely with judges and attorneys. Furthermore, in May of this year, I obtained my State Bar of Nevada Level Two Student Certification, which I utilize by working pro bono in Henderson Municipal Court, prosecuting traffic offenses. Upon graduation and bar passage, my goal is to engage in either civil or criminal litigation. Thanks to my legal education, work experience, and the LVNBA s generosity, I am confident I will realize this goal. -- Nechole Garcia, J.D. Candidate 2013, 2011 UNLV Boyd School of Law, & 2009 and 2011 LVNBA scholarship recipient Source: Nechole Garcia Giving the Gift of Education The founding of the LVNBA in 1981 was vital to advancing the educational, social and economic status of the African American community. The LVNBA has been instrumental in the furtherance of these ideals over its 30 years of engagement. I look forward to a future when all of these ideals are realized. As a law student member of the LVNBA and President of William S. Boyd School of Law s chapter of the Black Law Student Association, I am indebted to the members who came before me, who built the bridges that I now cross. Moreover, as a recipient of one of this year s LVNBA scholarships, I am further indebted, because I have been given the gift of education. Unequivocally, no other gift is more empowering. In contribution to the ideals of the LVNBA, I plan to re-gift my gift of education by changing the way we educate in Nevada. After obtaining my J.D. and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, I hope to serve as a member of the Nevada Legislature, where I will use my education to draft, advocate for and vote on meaningful education policies grounded in research and deeply rooted in passion. Education as a means will bring about the ends we seek. I imagine the empowerment that education could give to the parentless children I encountered as a law student extern at the Children s Attorneys Project or the destitute defendants I encountered while interning at the Clark County Public Defender s Office. Knowledge gives those children the power to become foster parents and those defendants the power to become the defenders. With LVNBA s continued commitment to gifting education, the founding member s intent will be realized. Education is the independent variable, upon which the outcomes of our community rely. -- Brittnie Watkins, J.D. Candidate 2013, 2011 UNLV Boyd School of Law, BLSA President, & 2011 LVNBA scholarship recipient Source: Brittnie Watkins LVNBA Newsletter, Volume No. 3, Issue No December

14 New Opportunities & New Directions Dean John Valery White J.D., Yale Law School Dean, UNLV Boyd School of Law The LVNBA provided me a warm welcome in the fall of 2007 when I arrived as dean of the William S. Boyd School of Law. Since then the LVNBA has been a supportive professional home from which I have received substantial support. In my efforts as dean to grow the William S. Boyd School of Law as a valuable community resource, the support of the LVNBA has been inestimable. Partnerships of the type developed between the Law School and the LVNBA are necessary but not sufficient steps to building a robust, diverse professional community. True success demands more: the individual commitment of LVNBA leadership and members to building a great professional community in Las Vegas is what has made the Boyd School of Law s work with the LVNBA particularly effective. And the friendships I have forged in the LVNBA have helped make me at home in this great community. Berna Rhodes-Ford Rhodes-Ford & Associates, P.C. J.D., University of TexasSchool of Law After spending years building my career serving as law clerk to judges and working for large law firms and in-house counsel, I decided that I was off track personally and needed to realign myself with what I value most in life my family. So, I mulled over numerous options and ultimately decided that the best decision for me was to become my own boss and open my own law firm. In June 2011, I opened Rhodes-Ford & Associates, a corporate law practice that is believed to be the first African American-owned law firm in Henderson, Nevada. Rhodes-Ford & Associates provides a full array of corporate law services, including forming business entities; drafting contracts; mergers and acquisitions; and advising and litigating on behalf of employers faced with employment claims. Rhodes- Ford & Associates also has a healthcare practice and represents numerous healthcare organizations. Quality work product and responsiveness are two fundamentals of my practice. Starting my own law firm has been met with the same challenges and rewards as opening any new business. I am required to spend a substantial amount of time on administrative tasks. I have to make decisions about everything from what type of paper I will use for my letterhead, to which CPA firm I will engage, to what type of printers and computers I will buy. I never knew there were so many different types of paper! Having my own law firm gives me the flexibility to dedicate time to my husband and children, as well as to grow my business in Nevada and beyond by providing big law firm experience with small law firm attention. Rhodes-Ford & Associates is growing in ways I would not have imagined. I have a great team, including my employees and my vendors, who work well together in growing the firm and taking it to the next level. Judge Gloria Sturman Eighth Judicial District Court J.D., Arizona State University College of Law. Past President, State Bar of Nevada I came to "bar leadership" through my specialty bar, the Southern Nevada Association of Women Attorneys. My mentors there (including former Judge Sally Loerher) recommended me for a leadership role on the Clark County Bar Association board where I was mentored by former Judge Nancy Oesterle, and eventually was elected to the State Bar Board of Governors. One of my jobs on the BOG was to chair the informally named "Committee on Committees" and our first task was to work on the application process, in order to recruit applicants from the minority and specialty bars. My colleagues Lawrence Weekly, Ricki Barlow, Moises Denis and Tim Wong all shared insights into their respective communities, while advocating for the needs of all minorities in Clark County. As President of the LV-CCLB I was proud of the work the District did to provide programming to the diverse populations in Clark County, and wanted the SBN to consider those same issues in the context of legal representation for minority communities. The State Bar's efforts have continued over the years, but I think the forthcoming Black History Month issue of the Nevada Lawyer edited by the LVNBA/SBN is the crowning achievement. The SBN encourages its officers to obtain training through the National Conference of Bar Presidents an affiliate of the American Bar Association. The NCBP has focused for many years on diversity efforts, including seminars where bar leaders shared successful programs for recruiting students of color into the law school "pipeline." Because I found the NCBP training to be so valuable, I ran (successfully) for a 3 year term on the Board. The Task Force not only contributed programming to NCBP meetings, but developed an innovative forum that has made real progress toward encouraging more bar leaders of color to become involved in the NCBP. Our purpose was twofold: to encourage the bar leaders of color to take advantage of the training offered by the NCBP, and equally important to open channels of communication so they could share their knowledge and experience with majority bar leaders. During my term on the NCBP Bryan Scott was President of the Clark County Bar Association (the first African American to hold that position). Bryan encouraged me to get involved in the LVNBA, and after some detours (for political activities), I found my way to some LVNBA events. I believe it was then President Travis Buchanan who graciously welcomed me to the LVNBA, and very kindly said something along the lines of "we appreciate your support and attendance, but you do know you can JOIN the LVNBA?" That was my "light bulb" moment...i became a member! Colin Seale J.D. Candidate, UNLV Boyd School of Law, May 2013 I take great pride and honor to stand on the shoulders of giants in the LVNBA throughout my journey in law school as a part-time student. I am extremely grateful for receiving two scholarship awards from the organization, but I am even more appreciative of the outstanding mentorship I ve received from its committed membership. As a result of this support (from too many members to list), I spent the past summer as a law clerk at Hutchison & Steffen, I am a staff member on the Nevada Law Journal, I have maintained the top ranking in my class for the last three years, I will spend this upcoming summer as a law clerk at Greenberg Traurig, and, in March 2012, I will be traveling to Washington D.C. to receive the Most Outstanding Law Student from the National Black Law Student s Association. The greatest way I can pay homage to our LVNBA pioneers is to continue their commitment to the legal profession and the community, and I plan to dedicate my career to continuing service to this outstanding organization. 14 LVNBA Newsletter, Volume No. 3, Issue No December 2011

15 LVNBA members at the 30th Anniversary Celebration (front row, left to right) Dan Winder, Andras F. Barbero, Arthur L. Williams, Jr., Booker T. Evans, James O. Porter, (second row, left to right) Augusta Massey, Kelley Jones, Cybill Dotson, F. Travis Buchanan, Bryan Scott, Geraldine Kirk-Hughes, Karen Williams, Cuthbert Mack, Justice Michael L. Douglas, Richard Manhattan, Judge Gloria Sturman, Patricia Lee, Professor Rachel J. Anderson, (third row, left to right) Randolph Westbrook, John Bailey, Sandra Douglass Morgan, Alda Anderson, Richard F. Boulware, (unknown), Alicia Monroe, (unknown), Michael Guy (non-attorney, son of Judge Guy), Doreen Spears Hartwell, Phung Jefferson, Karl Armstrong, Alzora Jackson-Winder and Jonathan E. MacArthur) Source: LVNBA Archive at the Wiener-Rogers Law Library, photo taken by LVNBA member Kathleen J. England Danae K. Adams Liborius I. Agwara Emeka Lia Allen Jonathan Allen Judge Nancy L. Allf Alda Anderson Prof. Rachel J. Anderson Telia U. Anderson Ruby Arceneaux Robert Archie ( ) Karl W. Armstrong Mona Asberom John R. Bailey Erika Ballou B. Jeanne Banks Andras F. Barbero Tami V. Bass Gary Booker Richard F. Boulware Judith H. Braecklein Natasha Brooks Cara L. Brown James L. Brown F. Travis Buchanan Gail Burks James Butler Donishia L. Campbell K. Alexandra Cavin Robyn Chatman Uri L. Clinton Adriene C. Cobb Jasmine Coca Britannica Collins LVNBA Members ( ) Jay Cook Judge Angel Cooley Marcus D. Cooper Chaka Crome James A. Davidson Michael Allen Davis David Dean ( ) Monica Dean Judge Kathleen Delaney Cybill Dotson Justice Michael L. Douglas Sandra Douglass Morgan Nichole Duru Flora Virginia Eichacker Milton J. Eichacker Kathleen J. England Booker T. Evans Elisabeth Flemming Sheri Ann Forbes Aaron D. Ford Kathy Frazier Assemblyman Jason Frierson Clarence E. Gamble Nechole Garcia Judge Lee A. Gates Althea Gilkey-Junior Charlele M. Gillespie Hiawatha Givens Yolanda T. Givens Beverly Glode Karen T. Grant-Head Fred E. Green, Jr. April S. Green James Green Paul Green Ronald Green Judge Addeliar D. Guy, III ( ) Lizzie R. Hatcher Judge Betty O. Henderson Angela M. Hensley Ruth B. Herch Duane Holloway Assemblyman William Horne Alzora Jackson Marqueta Johnson Del Joiner Gabrielle D. Jones Kelley R. Jones Tierra D. Jones Professor Kay P. Kindred Marsha Kimble-Simms Geraldine Kirk-Hughes Malcolm P. LaVergne Tamara F. Lawson Patricia Lee Denise M. Lightford Melvin S. Lipman Rhonda R. Long Sophia Long Lea Lucas Jonathan E. MacArthur Cuthbert E.A. Mack Richard Manhattan Augusta A. Massey Rose McKinney-James Tammy McMahan Brent D. Michaels Kali Miller Sonya Miller Alicia Monroe Conti J. Moore Zarinah Muhammed Anthony Murray Assemblywoman Dina Neal Stephanie K. Newman Norma J. Norman Kwasi Nyamekye Ikenna Okunze Guinness Ohazuruike Paul Padda Theodore Parker, III Thomas Peterson, III David Philipps Professor Ngai Pindell Daniel Polsenberg James O. Porter William E. Randall Sami N. Randolph Judge Johnnie B. Rawlinson Jamila A. Rawle Brian Ready Berna Rhodes-Ford Karl O. Riley Lodi Robinson Karma Rodgers Isaac Rowe Aithyni Rucker Gillian F. Satterfield Barjon Bryan K. Scott Colin Seale Natalie Smalling Phillip N. Smith Doreen Spears Hartwell Judge Gloria Sturman Verona Swanigan Jennifer N. Taylor Natricia C. Triciano Debra M. Turner Kareema Turner Kevin R. Utterback Roe Stanley A. Walton Brittnie Watkins Ruth Westbrook Randolph L. Westbrook, III Justice of the Peace Earle W. White, Jr. ( ) Glynda White Dean John Valery White Amber White-Davidson Arthur L. Williams, Jr. Donna Williams Karen Williams Hearing Master Kevin Williams ( ) Nikkya Williams Judge Timothy C. Williams Dan Winder Viveca Monet Woods Nakia Woodson = founder = past/present president = scholarship recipient = deceased = active / voting member in 2011 Reconstructed based on available data. us at info@lasvegasnba.org with any amendments or additional information. LVNBA Newsletter, Volume No. 3, Issue No December

16 About the Newsletter The LVNBA Newsletter was first published in 2006 under the leadership of President Jason Frierson, , together with Sandra Douglass Morgan (Vice President), Cybill Dotson (Treasurer) and Sami Randolph (Secretary). One of the primary goals of the Newsletter is to recognizes members achievements, service, and work done in the community. The featured member of Volume 1, Issue 1 was LVNBA Founder and past President Arthur L. Williams, Jr., and The LVNBA Newsletter was revived by the 2010 Membership and Elections Committee: Tierra Jones, Karl Riley, Alzora Jackson, Judge Angel Cooley and Augusta Massey (Chair). Volume 2, Issue 1 was published in 2010 under the leadership of President Richard F. Boulware, , together with Tierra Jones (Vice President), Professor Rachel J. Anderson (Secretary), and Patricia Lee (Treasurer). The Volume 2, Issue 1 Editorial Staff were Professor Rachel J. Anderson, Richard F. Boulware, Tierra Jones, Augusta Massey, and Karl O. Riley. Patricia Lee was the Volume 2, Issue 1 featured member. This is the third volume of the LVNBA Newsletter and we hope it will become a tradition of recognition for current and future members. -- Augusta Massey Acknowledgements and Thanks to: Hilburn & Lein, CPA s for providing pro bono tax advice Lionel Sawyer & Collins for providing pro bono tax advice Cybill Dotson for acting as the Association s Registered Agent Outgoing Executive Board: President Richard F. Boulware, Vice President Tierra Jones, Secretary Professor Rachel J. Anderson, and Treasurer Patricia Lee 2011 Scholarship Gala Committee Co-Chairs: Doreen Spears Hartwell & Amber White-Davidson and Membership & Elections Committee Chair Karl O. Riley 2011 Scholarship Gala Committee members Sandra Douglass Morgan, Cybill Dotson, and Karen Williams; and Arthur L. Williams, Jr. (ticket sales) and Professor Rachel J. Anderson (tribute video) Archive Committee members Professor Rachel J. Anderson, Karl W. Armstrong, F. Travis Buchanan Founders Event Committee, Richard F. Boulware, Patricia Lee, Professor Rachel J. Anderson Jonathan MacArthur for co-coaching the 2011 BLSA Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Team Sami Randolph for coordinating the backpack drive Snell & Wilmer L.L.P. for providing meeting space for general membership meetings Dean John White, UNLV Boyd School of Law, for his support of the archive and oral history project Jeanne Price, Director of the Wiener-Rogers Law Library, UNLV Boyd School of Law, for her work on establishing the archive and collecting and preserving the history of the LVNBA and its members Claytee White, Director of the UNLV Oral History Research Project, for historical consulting and conducting oral history interviews Participants in the Nevada Lawyer project: Connie Akridge, Jennifer Anderson, Professor Rachel J. Anderson, Richard F. Boulware, Senator Richard Bryan, Melinda Catren, Kathleen J. England, Kimberly K. Farmer, Professor Joanne Goodwin, Professor Kay P. Kindred, Geralda Miller, Jeanne Price, Guy Rocha, Jennifer Smith, Beau Sterling, Claytee, D. White, Matthew Wright Paulette Reed-Anderson for historical consulting Archive donors and oral history interviewees: Danae Adams, Karl Armstrong, John R. Bailey, Judge Karen Bennett-Haron, Richard F. Boulware, Michael Allen Davis, Justice Michael L. Douglas, Booker T. Evans, Yolanda Givens, Michael Guy, Lizzie R. Hatcher, Alzora Jackson-Winder, Professor Kay Kindred, Malcolm P. LaVergne, Geraldine Kirk-Hughes, Cuthbert Mack, Augusta Massey, David Phillips, Judge Johnnie B. Rawlinson, Dean John V. White, Arthur L. Williams, Jr., Judge Timothy C. Williams, Dan Winder Augusta Massey, Member, State Bar Diversity Committee Source: Augusta Massey PLACEHOLDER State Bar of Nevada: Commitment to Diversity by Augusta Massey The State Bar of Nevada and its Board of Governors has demonstrated its commitment to diversity with the revival of the Diversity Committee. The committee is chaired by Romeo Perez and comprises of members from all fields of law and representatives from northern and southern Nevada including: Janet Belcove-Shalin, Kathleen Bergquist, Adam Bult, Justice Michael Cherry, Augusta Massey, and Rene Valladares. Lisa McGrane and Mason Simons serve as staff and Board of Governor liaisons to the committee respectively. The mission of the committee is to increase diversity, in its many forms and facets, within the State Bar of Nevada. To achieve this goal, the committee has implemented several pipeline initiatives including awarding two diversity scholarships to current law students at the William S. Boyd School of Law, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. One of the recipients of the 2011 diversity scholarship award, Colin Seale, is a student member of the National Bar Association, Las Vegas Chapter (LVNBA). In addition, the committee seeks input from the specialty bars and welcomes input at the annual diversity/specialty bar luncheon held in January every year. The next luncheon is scheduled for January 12, 2012 at Noon at the State Bar of Nevada and representatives from LVNBA are welcome to attend. The committee appreciates the suggestions given by the LVNBA and applauds the outgoing president, Richard Boulware, for the many ideas he proposed to the committee at this year s luncheon. The committee welcomes more participation from LVNBA, especially ideas on how to increase diversity in the State Bar of Nevada, and is willing to be of more assistance in the future including sponsoring a table at next year s Gala. For more information contact Lisa McGrane at lisam@nvbar.org and check out Contact Us National Bar Association, Las Vegas Chapter P.O. Box 1236 Las Vegas, NV info@lasvegasnba.org LVNBA Event at the 2012 NBA Annual Convention The LVNBA will be hosting a special event on July 14, 2012 at Caesars Palace to welcome NBA members and kick-off the 87th Annual Convention. 16 LVNBA Newsletter, Volume No. 3, Issue No December 2011